| YOUTH STORIESDIEGO
Age: 15
Six years ago, Diego’s father vanished after leaving Guatemala to chase the American dream. He and his family were left to fend for themselves. Financially unable to attend school, Diego took to the streets, where he became involved with gang members and inevitably, drugs. “I drifted away from God,” he says. “I thought if I became [the gang’s] friend, I’d avoid getting hurt by them.” During camp, Diego encountered friends, mentors and leaders who cared about his future. “He was transformed; literally moved into a pool of tears at his feet,” says Douglas, Diego’s mentor. Tragically, less than three months after camp, Diego was shot point-blank in the head. He survived and is in rehabilitation, but his story reminds us of the dangers the youth confront when they return home. Thankfully, Diego now has a network of friends and mentors who are helping him through his recovery. Please pray for Diego.CHRISTIAN
Age: 14
Before entering an orphanage in 2008, 14-year-old Christian lived in a slum of Guatemala City with his family. While his father worked long hours as a security officer, he and his siblings were neglected by their alcoholic mother. Because of financial troubles, Christian was sent to Our Little Brothers, an orphanage just outside the city. A few months later, he learned his mother had died from excessive drinking. After attending the funeral with a stiff upper lip, Christian’s academic and athletic performance decreased. He entered a state of depression. Our Little Brothers provides a safe haven for children like Christian, but once they’re old enough to leave they're susceptible to gang members’ influence. We asked Christian why he wanted to attend soccer camp with Champions, and he told us about his dream of becoming a professional athlete. “I’ve been playing soccer since I was 8,” he says, “and it’s my only source of fun.” Because of the support of a donor, Christian was able to attend our inaugural camp, where he was not only given the opportunity to hone his playing skills, but also to build positive relationships with friends and mentors that would last for years to come. Additionally, he heard presentations from other Guatemalan nonprofits like Group Aceiba, who connects at-risk youth with opportunities for growth. |
